NZ Announce Squad For First Two Test Against Pak

Wellington: New Zealand recall Fulton for first two Tests in the 13-man New Zealand cricket squad named against Pakistan, starting on Tuesday.

New Zealand have recalled batsman Peter Fulton in the 13-member squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan starting November 24 in Dunedin. Allrounder Grant Elliott returns from injury while Shane Bond returns to the longer version of the game for the first time since quitting the rebel ICL.

The two exclusions from the Test squad which toured Sri Lanka are Jesse Ryder and Craig Cumming. Ryder pulled his left abductor muscle during the Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka in September and was eventually ruled out of the tour of UAE. Fulton, who toured Australia earlier this year, has made a fine start to the domestic season, scoring 320 runs in two games for Canterbury in the Plunkett Shield.

"Peter Fulton makes his comeback based on excellent performances on winter tours with the Emerging Players and New Zealand A teams - as well as an outstanding start to the domestic Plunket Shield competition," Mark Greatbatch, the former New Zealand batsman-turned selector, said.

Elliott feared the thumb injury he suffered during the Champions Trophy would rule him out for the entire series against Pakistan. Greatbatch said his limited-overs form helped push his inclusion in the Test team.

Squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum (wk), Tim McIntosh, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.

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